Mechanism to level and erect seat backs



May 13, 1952 s. D. BRYANT MECHANISM To LEVEL AND ERECT SEAT BAcKs 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 27. 1947 3 wv ana/to@ SAMUEL D. BRYANT May 13, 1952 3 Shets-Shet 2 Filed Jun@J 27. 1947 May 13 1952 s. D. BRYANT 2,596,760

MECHANISM TO LEVEL AND ERECT SEAT BCKS Filed June 27. 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 13, 10952 STAT UNITED v'r oFFICE MECHANISM To LEVEL AND EREc'i sEA'r BAcKs This invention relates to an improvement in mechanisms to level and erect seat-backs; also to seat-frames and seat-back-frames that are adapted to be operated by this simplied and improved mechanism or means to actuate the seatback-frame; also to the general combination of actuating and actuated devices.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a very simple and comparativelyinexpensive means to level and erect a seat-back of an automobilaairplane, or other carrier of persons; so that the seat-back may serve its usual purpose alternately with the purpose and use of a seat or a portion of a bed or couch, in complernental relation to the' usual relatively stationary seat-base and cushion.

Another object is to provide simple and` effective means to secure the seat-back in numerous inclined positions, against the tendencies of vibrations, and jolts, to cause it to gradually lower to its level position, and by this same means, to increase the strength and rigidity of the seatback-frame.

Another object is to provide a unitary doubleseat-base with two separate seat-backs and two separate actuating devices that are operable independently of one another, so one person can recline thereon while. another remains seated thereon; or alternately, both seats can be converted'into beds or couches or enlarged seats.

Other objects and important features are pointed out or implied in the following details of description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which; Y

Fig. l is a vertical sectional View taken along the line I-I of Fig. looking in the direction of the arrows; the upholstery outlined in dotdash lines.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows, upholstery omitted.

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing two pieces of L-beam welded together to form one of the seatsupports and one of the bearings for the pivotrod or hinge-'pintle between the seat-plate and back-plate in the form or design that employs bases of wood or the like for holding the upholsteryy of the seat and back.

Fig. 4 is a bottom-plan view of the form shown in Figs. l, 2 and 5; the seat-backs being in their two extreme positions, respectively, viz., substantially vertical at left, and horizontal at right.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the companion seats; the upper part of one of the seat- 3 Claims. (Cl. 155-7) and hidden therebehind; the supporting vbars holstery-retaining wall or strip being omitted.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevational view of amodied form or design that eliminates the wooden seat,- plate, is preferably of all-metal, and capable of having its back-frame either molded integrally. or made in several primarily separate metal parts united by welding or other appropriate securing means, operating parts being omitted, parts being broken on".

Fig. 7 is a fragmental sectional detail-assembly View, seen at right-angles to the view-pointv of Fig. 6, and showing a slightly'modied backframe construction hinged to a vT*beam member y slightly different from the L-beam structure of Fig. 3; the section being taken as if along the line 'I--l of Fig. 6.

In Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, a seat-.back-.plate I2p is shown seated against adjoining elements of the seat-back-frame I2.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the seat-frame and hinge-combination shown in Figs. 6 and 7, other parts omitted.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9--9 of Fig. 8.

Welds are indicated by thick groups of dots'in the several views.

Figs. l to 5, inclusive, show the invention applied to a simpleconstruction of wood and metal; the seat-base being plates of wood or other nonmetallic material to which the metal hinge-bearings can be secured, and to which the Yseatcushions can be attached if desired.

Figs. 6 lto 9 show the invention applied to a practically all-metal construction on which 'sepa' rately completed cushions (not shown) may bei removeably seated or permanently secured, at will of the builder or user. In this form of construction, the actuating mechanism (not shown), Ais the same as in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5.

In broad terms, ther invention comprises a seatframe I0 or IIlm that includes supporting elements Ia or IIlma whose lower portions are normally seated on affloor I I and also includes a seatbase IIIb or IIlmb above said lower portions and backs being broken oi; the other seat-back being horizontal or Vlevel with the seat-base-plate comprises hinge elements IIIe or IIImc at its rear portion, in combination with a seat-back-fra'me I2 or I2m that includes hinge-elements I2a orA2 I2ma normally articulated with the first said hinge-elements through pintles I3 or I3m, and

also includes an arm or arms I2b or I2mb that normally project downward and terminate ata point above said lower portions of IIla or Illma, said seat-frame comprising bearings IIld at its front. and rear portions, a screw-member I 4 above ascenso said lower portions and below said seat-base and rotatably seated in said bearings Id and thereby secured against longitudinal movement with respect to said seat-frame, and means I in screwthreaded engagement with said screw-member and operatively connected to said arm I2b or I2mb for co-operating with said arm in causing said seat-back-frame I2 or I2m to moveto and from a substantially horizontal position.

In a more limited sense, the above-mentioned means I5 comprises an internally screw-threaded member having therein a slot I5a substantially at right anglesl tothe axis of its internal screwthread at I5s (Fig. 1), said screw-member being operatively engaged with said internal screwthread, and a pintle I6 engaged with said arm I2b or 12mb and with said slot I'c'a in a proper cooperative relation to effect raising and lowering movements of said seat-back-frame by rotation off-said screw I4 in opposite directions.

-For easy operation, it is necessary that the screw I4 be easily turnable in its bearings Id and in the internally threaded member I5; so, if nothing were provided to prevent .this screw from being turned by vibrations of the vehicle in which it is installed and arranged it would yield to the generally known tendency of screws to turn under such vibrations, and thereby cause or permit the seat-back to gradually. move downward from any of its upright or rearwardly inclined positions, especially when the weight or pressure of a users back against the seat-back increases the tendency of the latter to move downward. Therefore, at least one, and preferably tWo restraining links I'I are provided to relieve the pressure of the element I5 against the thread of the screw I4; and, vice Versa, in case of any sudden and severe pressure against the seat-back, the thread of the screw I4 immediately relieves any tendency of the link I'I to slip within their respective clamps at Iii-20.

This invention also includes, in combination, aJestraining link Il pivotally connected to said seat-back-frame, and clamping means engaged with said link and operable for co-,operation with the link I I and with the screw I 4 for securing the seat-back-frame I2 or I2m in various adjusted positions.. l v

Each link 'II- is pivoted at I8 to an extension I2e of the hinge elements I2a or I2ma., and each is formed with a slotV IIa, through which extend screws I9 from the respective supports I 9a or Illma in which theyare secured.A Each screw I9 is provided with a clamp-nut, preferably ra wingnut 20, near the front of the space vunder the 4seat-base where it is convenient to access by a When the seat-back-frame is in any inuser. clined or upright position, lit is then held securely by the screw I4 in co-operation with the clamping means Ia or IIlma, IS and 20.

The seat-base I0b is here shown secured on L-beams IDL on which the bearings or hingeelements I0c are welded; and this seat-baseis preferably bound on front and lateral sides by a strip 2| of metal or other appropriate material that forms a low cushion-retaining wall.

. In Figs. 6, 8 and 9, the hinge-elements I Ilmo are shown as welded on the bent T-beam IIJ-T that has the flat beam I0f and L-beam IUmZ welded thereon to complete the seat-base IIlmb'.

Figs. l, 2 and 4 show a bent rod element 22 pivoted to the seat-back-frame to serve as a. garment-hanger when the seat-back is erect, and as an auxiliary support for the seat-back-frame and its load when it is inhorizontal position. A

somewhat similar element, for the same purpose, is shown at 22m in Figs. 6 and 7.

The iront ends I4a of the screws I4 are shown angular for operative engagement with a crank or wrench (not shown) for turning them by hand of a user.

The vmetal strips Ibfb constitute braces for the supports Illa or II'Ima and bearings for the screws I4.

The securing means are absent in parts of the drawings and any appropriate means may be used to secure the parts together in the positions 1. A seat-frame that includes supporting ele-v ments whose lower portions are normally seated on a floor and also includes a seat-base above said lower portions and comprises hinge-elements at its rear portion and substantially level with the seat base, in combination with a seat-back-frame that includes hinge elements normally articulated with the rst said hinge-elements and also includes an arm that normally projects downward and terminates at a pci-nt above said lower portions, said seat-frame comprising bearings at and united with its front and rear portions, a screwmember above said lower portions and below said seat-base and rotatably seated in said bearings and thereby secured against longitudinal and tilting movements with respect to said seat-frame, and internally screw-threaded means in screwthreaded engagement with said screw-member and operatively connected to said arm for cooperating with said arm in causing said seat-backframe to move to and from a substantially horizontal position at the rear of said seat-frame.

2. In the combination defined by claim l, said means comprising an internally screw-threaded member having therein a slot substantially at right angles to the axisof its internal screw-r thread, and a pintle engaged with said arm and with said slot in a proper cooperative relation tov effect raising and lowering movements of said seat-back-frame by rotation of said screw in opposite directions.

3. The combination dened by claim 1, a restraining link pivotally connected to said seatback-frame, and clamping means engaged withv said link and operable for cooperation with said link and said screw for securing the seat-backframe in various adjusted positions.

SAMUEL D. BRYANT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent: Y

UNITED STATES PATENTS VDate 

